From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua

‎Madonna School emerged winners of the maiden Inventopia-STEM (I-STEM) competition organised by M-Hub Technologies to promote creativity, innovation and practical problem-solving skills among basic school pupils.

‎‎Pentecost Preparatory School placed second, while Heaven’s Dew Montessori took the third position in the competition, which brought together six schools in Koforidua.

‎‎The participating schools were Madonna School, Trinity Royal School, Presbyterian Calvary Academy, Pentecost Preparatory School, Listen Educational Complex and Heaven’s Dew Montessori.

‎The competition was conducted in four rounds, with the first three focusing on basic questions and answers that tested the pupils’ critical thinking abilities

‎‎The final round required contestants to undertake practical projects by coding or building innovative solutions to address real-life challenges.

‎One of the projects showcased during the competition was a smart motorcycle safety system designed to prevent a motorcycle from starting unless the rider had put on a helmet, an innovation aimed at promoting road safety.

‎Speaking at the event, the Eastern Regional Manager of M-Hub Technologies, Mr Enoch Kekeli, said the competition, dubbed Inventopia-STEM (I-STEM), sought to encourage pupils to think creatively and develop practical solutions to societal problems.

‎He noted that many schools focused heavily on theoretical learning, leaving students with little opportunity to apply their knowledge in practical situations.

‎‎”We want to spark creativity in students. Most schools focus mainly on theory, but we are now in a technology-driven era where students must be able to apply what they learn to solve real-world problems,” he said.

‎Mr Kekeli said exposing children to practical STEM education would help nurture critical thinkers, innovators and problem-solvers capable of developing workable solutions and policies in the future.

‎He stressed that Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education was centred on hands-on learning, creative thinking and innovation rather than memorisation.

‎‎”If we want a brighter future in this technological age, we need to educate our children to embrace STEM so they can build, design and create solutions that work instead of relying only on theory,” he added.

‎He expressed the hope that the competition would inspire more schools to incorporate practical STEM education into their teaching to equip learners with the skills needed for the future workforce.

From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua

The International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) has inaugurated 19 Presbytery Committees to support the church’s governance and advance its global ministry.

The inauguration of the committees forms part of ICGC’s efforts to strengthen institutional leadership and enhance the delivery of its ministries as the church continues its international expansion.

The inauguration ceremony was held at Christ Temple East in Teshie, Accra, on July 9, 2026, under the leadership of the General Overseer of ICGC, Rev. Dr Mensa Otabil, and the General Secretary, Rev. Morris Appiah.

This was contained in a statement copied to The Spectator in Accra on Monday.

 Rev. Counsellor Prince Offei, a columnist with the paper was also appointed as a member of the Presbytery Family Life Support Committee by the National Presbytery on June 29, 2026, with the committee’s work taking effect from July 9.

He joins a team comprising the chairman, Rev. Samuel Awuku Gyekye, Rev. Dr Fred Brako, Professor Irene Kretchy, Dr Sena Owusu-Gibson and Dr Albert Rockson.

The Family Life Support Committee was tasked with providing strategic direction and resources to strengthen marriages, families and individual well-being across ICGC assemblies worldwide.

Its mandate includes promoting marriage enrichment and premarital counselling, supporting families through crises, grief and trauma, strengthening parenting education and family discipleship, enhancing mental health and counselling services based on biblical principles, promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for reconciliation, and training pastors and lay counsellors.

The committee, the  statement said, forms part of the church’s broader governance structure, which also includes committees responsible for ordination and licensing, legal affairs, education, church order and doctrine, and disciplinary matters.

Rev. Counsellor Offei is a lecturer and faculty member of the Daniel Institute of Central University. He is also a mental health professional, ordained minister, certified Alternative Dispute Resolution practitioner, author, television personality, and marriage and family counsellor.

He is the founder and Executive Director of Counsellor Prince and Associates Consult (CPAC) and is known for his writings on relationships, family life and mental wellness, including contributions to The Spectator.

Present at the ceremony were senior presbyters which included Rev. Christopher Yaw Annor and Rev. Anthony Cudjoe.

By Spectator Reporter

The International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) has inaugurated 19 Presbytery Committees to support the church’s governance and advance its global ministry.